President Lukashenko defines his country, Belarus, as a dictatorship: 'Half the world envies us'

President Alexander Lukashenko praised his country's governance model in a speech delivered at the inauguration ceremony for his new term. While noting that his country is a 'sovereign state based on national interests,' Lukashenko claimed that half the world envies the dictatorship in Belarus.

Speaking at the ceremony held in Minsk, Lukashenko used the phrase, 'Half the world envies our dictatorship.' The Belarusian leader added that by this expression, he meant 'a governance model that prioritizes the interests of the people.' Following the election he lost in 2020, Lukashenko had flown over Belarusians who took to the streets in a helicopter equipped with a machine gun and had the footage broadcast on the state channel.

Lukashenko, who has been in power for nearly 30 years, claimed that his country performs well regarding freedom of expression. Lukashenko emphasized that this freedom cannot be used in a way that threatens 'national values.'

In the elections held in February 2025, Lukashenko received 86.82 percent of the vote according to official results. None of the other candidates were able to pass the 5 percent threshold.

BLAMED 'FOREIGN FORCES' AFTER LOSING THE ELECTION

Major protests took place in the country following the 2020 elections. Lukashenko, who lost the elections, claimed that the voting was rigged and issued an arrest warrant for the opposition leader. The Belarusian government argued that the protests, which began after Lukashenko refused to step down from power, were incited by foreign forces.

In a statement he made last year, Lukashenko said that Belarus is a 'dictatorship that prioritizes stability and security.' Stating that despite Western propaganda, foreigners who visit the country see this reality, Lukashenko pointed out that the number of tourists coming to Belarus has not decreased.

News Source: 12punto